Power regulation of source and amplification components
default -- Sun, 08/09/2009 - 03:03
I am curious to know how the inbuilt power supply units of high quality amplifiers and cd players deal with voltage not equal to the level specified in the user manual (120V).
If say the actual voltage is 110V or 130V, will the unit transform it back to 120V, or does it just play the music at the actual voltage, with all associated distortions and disruptions to the music timing and dynamics.
I know for a fact the voltage in my area runs at about 5% more than specified in the manual so I am concerned this is impacting the music's enjoyment.
Does anyone have any insights or clues into this?
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It is the designers choice whether or not to regulate the power supplies. This regulation take place on the output (the DC side) not the input. Any competent designer will design in some tolerance for input power. There is probably no operating voltage in a CD player above 15V or so unless it has a tubed output stage and I would imagine that any competently designed CD player will have well regulated power supplies. A plus or minus 5% variation in input voltage should have no effect. A power amplifier may see a slight reduction in its power output if the input power is reduced and a slight increase if it goes up. As far as this causing "distortions and disruptions to the music timing and dynamics" , the only place a 5% overvoltage on the main AC supply should cause this would be between the ears of an obsessive compulsive audiophile. ;)